Casino Card Game

ABSTRACT

A community poker game with three flop cards and voluntary preliminary bets, such as blind and straddle. The player who initiates betting action in a hand is designated relative to a portable button, and the blind and the straddle do not affect betting initiative unless the person who has the initiative relative to the button has posted a blind or straddle. Each hand has four rounds of betting: one when the players get their two cards and one more for each of three flop cards. Each round has two cycles. In the first cycle, a player may check, make an initial bet, call, raise, or fold. A preliminary bet counts as a first-cycle action. In the second cycle, a player may only call or fold. The game is played on a nine-player D-shaped table with delineated player stations, and delineated betting line, chip storage, and flop card area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to five-card community casino poker games and more particularly to such poker games with a voluntary blind and single-action betting per flop.

BACKGROUND

Poker is a popular gambling game that has many versions. Poker is conventionally played with a 52-card deck of cards in four suits (ranked Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs, in descending order) and 13 cards in each suit (ranked Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, in descending order). The object of the game is to form a poker hand of higher rank than that held by any other player, or least make the other players think you have such a hand. Poker hands are ranked as Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four Of A Kind (regardless or suit), Full House (a pair plus three of a kind, regardless of suit), Flush (all cards in same suit, Straight (a sequence in rank of cards, regardless of suit), Three Of A Kind (regardless of suit), Two Pairs (regardless of suit), One Pair (regardless of suit), and High Cards (no pattern). Cards are conventionally dealt from a hand-held deck. In other card games, such as Black-Jack, cards are dealt from a dealing shoe by sliding the card out of the dealing shoe and across the table to the player.

Community poker games, for example, Texas Hold'em, use a combination of cards dealt face down to each player and cards dealt face up in front of the dealer to form a poker hand. Each face-up card is called a “flop” and betting occurs at each flop. Texas Hold'em provides for two mandatory blind bets, or “blinds” which are mandatorily made by the two players to the left of the dealer button before cards are dealt. In a casino, where the deal does not rotate among players, the players obligated to place blinds are indicated by a “dealer button”, or button, that is a portable object laid on the table surface and that circulates clockwise one player at a time after each hand. The button is moved after each hand so that the players obligated to place blind bets change after each hand. The nearest person to the button on the left places a small blind, usually less than the minimum bet limit, and the second person from the dealer's left places the big blind, often equal to the minimum bet limit. Betting begins with the person to the left of the big blind. In Texas Hold'em, a “straddle” is permitted, which is a voluntary blind raise made after the blinds are placed and which reestablishes the point at which the betting begins as the position to the left of the straddle.

Casino poker is commonly played at an oval or kidney-shaped, table with nine players. In casinos, tournament play may include ten players per table.

The gaming world is constantly in search of faster moving and more profitable games.

Therefore, a need exists for a faster-moving and more profitable game. A need also exists for a poker game played on a table that easily accommodates nine players and makes the dealer's job faster and easier. A need exists for a poker game that attracts players. A need exists for a community poker game without mandatory blinds. A need exists for a community poker game that limits the number of player actions per flop card. A need exists for a poker game that enables more hands to be played per hour.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A primary object and feature of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and fulfill the above-mentioned needs.

Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a faster-moving community poker game. Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a more profitable poker game for a casino. Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a custom poker table for nine players and a dealer. Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a community poker game without mandatory blinds. Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a community poker game that is dealt (or “slid”) from a dealing shoe. Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a community poker game that enables more hands to be played per hour. Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a community poker game that is faster than Texas Hold'em.

It is an additional primary object and feature of the present invention to provide community poker game that is economical, attractive, comfortable, and easy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a method of conducting a poker card game with a dealer and a plurality of players, where a player is a person who has paid an ante and has not folded, where such plurality of players may be reduced during play, the method including the step of accepting voluntary preliminary bets, where: a button is used to indicate a particular player of such plurality of players who begins betting for a hand of the poker card game; any one player of the plurality of players, per hand, has an option to post a blind bet as a voluntary preliminary bet before cards are distributed to such plurality of players; and a second player of such plurality of players, positioned immediately clockwise from the one player placing the blind bet, has an option, when a blind bet has been posted, to post a straddle bet as a voluntary preliminary bet, where the straddle bet is larger than the blind bet, where betting action begins with a player of such plurality of players immediately clockwise from the button and proceeds sequentially clockwise among such plurality of players, except that: if the one player has posted a blind bet then the one player is skipped over in the betting sequence immediately following the posting of the blind bet; and if the second player has posted a straddle bet then the second player is skipped over in the betting sequence immediately following the posting of the blind bet. The method1, further including the step of conducting four rounds of betting in each hand, where each round includes first and second cycles of sequential betting by such plurality of players. The method2, where a first round of the four rounds is conducted after each player of such plurality of players has been slid two cards face down by such dealer. The method2, where a second round of the four rounds is conducted after a first flop card has been presented by such dealer. The method2, where a third round of the four rounds is conducted after a second flop card has been presented by such dealer. The method2, where a fourth round of the four rounds is conducted after a third flop card has been presented by such dealer. The method2, where the first cycle of each round of the four rounds includes an initiating action or a responsive action from each player, where the initiating action includes: checking; placing an initial bet; calling a previous bet, where the previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of the four rounds; or raising a previous bet, where the previous bet may include a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of the four rounds; and the responsive action includes calling a previous bet or folding. The method7, where the second cycle of each round of the four rounds includes one the responsive action from each player of such plurality of players. The method1, further including the steps of: receiving antes; receiving at least one of: a voluntary blind bet; a voluntary straddle bet; and no preliminary bet; sliding cards face-down from a dealing shoe to provide each player of such plurality of players two cards; collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; sliding a burn card from the dealing shoe face down under the collected bets; sliding a first flop card from the dealing shoe and presenting the first flop card by turning the first flop card face up; collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; sliding a second flop card from the dealing shoe and presenting the second flop card by turning the second flop card face up; collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; sliding a third flop card from the dealing shoe and presenting the third flop card by turning the third flop card face up; collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; requiring a showing of cards by players of such plurality of players that have not folded; determining a winner of the hand; removing a house rake from the collected bets, where the house rake may be removed in parts throughout the hand; transferring the collected bets, minus the house rake, to the winner; and moving the button to one player immediately clockwise. The method1, where the poker card game is implemented as an electronic poker card game.

A method of conducting a poker card game with a dealer and a plurality of players, where a player is a person who has paid an ante and has not folded such that such plurality of players may be reduced during play, the method including the steps of: providing a dealing shoe containing one shuffled poker deck; providing a D-shaped table sized for up to nine players and one dealer; providing a button for placing on the table to indicate a player having initiative at a start of betting; establishing betting limits for the poker game; receiving an ante from each player of the plurality of players; accepting at least one of: a blind bet; a straddle bet; and no preliminary bet; sliding to each player of such plurality of players two cards face down onto the table from the dealing shoe; observing one initiating action or one responsive action from each player, in sequence from such player indicated to have the initiative relative to the button, where the initiating action includes checking or placing wagers on the table and the responsive action includes calling or folding; observing one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players, in sequence from such player indicated to have the initiative; sliding one card from the dealing shoe face down as a burn card; presenting a flop card by sliding one card from the dealing shoe and turning it face up onto the table; observing one initiating action or one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players, in sequence from such player indicated to have the initiative relative to the button, where the initiating action includes checking or placing wagers on the table and the responsive action includes calling or folding; observing one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players, in sequence from such player indicated to have the initiative; repeating the sequence of steps from “sliding a burn card . . . ” through “observing one responsive action . . . ” for each of second and third flop cards; observing the cards of each player; determining a winner based on the step of observing the cards of each player; collecting the house rake from a sum of all bets, where the house rake may be removed in parts throughout the hand; and transferring the sum of all bets, minus the house rake, to such winner. The method11, further including the step of moving the button clockwise one player after the step of transferring the sum of all bets, minus the house rake, to such winner. The method11, further including the step of, after receiving the ante, receiving a blind wager as a preliminary bet from one player posting the blind wager, where the posting of the blind wager is the one initiating action for the one player posting the blind wager. The method13, further including the step of receiving a straddle wager from one player posting the straddle wager, where the one player posting the straddle wager is not such one player posting such blind wager, and where the posting of the straddle wager is the one initiating action for the one player posting the straddle wager. The method11, where the D-shaped table includes delineated player stations on a curved side of the D-shaped table, a dealer box on a straight side of the table, and a delineated betting line between the player stations and the dealer box. The method11, where the poker card game is implemented as an electronic poker card game.

A method of conducting a poker card game with a dealer and a plurality of players, where a player is a person who has paid an ante and has not folded, the method including the step of accepting voluntary preliminary bets, where: a button is used to indicate a particular player of such plurality of players who begins betting for a hand of the poker card game; any one player of the plurality of players, per hand, has an option to post a blind bet as a voluntary preliminary bet before cards are distributed to such plurality of players; and a second player of such plurality of players, positioned immediately clockwise from the one player, has an option, when a blind bet has been posted, to post a straddle bet as a voluntary preliminary bet, where the straddle bet is larger than the blind bet, where betting action begins with a player of such plurality of players immediately clockwise from the button and proceeds sequentially clockwise among such plurality of players, except that: if the one player has posted a blind bet then the one player is skipped over in the betting sequence immediately following the posting of the blind bet; and if the second player has posted a straddle bet then the second player is skipped over in the betting sequence immediately following the posting of the blind bet; and conducting four rounds of betting in each hand, where each round includes first and second cycles of sequential betting by such plurality of players. The method17, where the first cycle of each round of the four rounds includes an initiating action or a responsive action from each player, where: the initiating action includes checking; placing an initial bet; calling a previous bet, where the previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of the four rounds; or raising a previous bet, where the previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of the four rounds; and where the responsive action includes calling a previous bet or folding. The method18, where the second cycle of each round of the four rounds includes one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players. The method17, where the poker card game is implemented as an electronic poker card game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

The FIGURE is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary poker table, according to the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The FIGURE is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary poker table 100, according to the present invention. The exemplary poker table 100 in the FIGURE is a D-shaped table sized to accommodate nine players on the curved side 102 of the table 100 and one dealer on the straight side 104 of the table. The poker table 100 is similar in shape to a black-jack table, but is larger and marked differently. An exemplary white-colored betting line 118, concentric with the curved side 102 of the poker table 100, defines a boundary between players' chips and chips that have been wagered. An exemplary first area 112 in front of the dealer box 106 is delineated for storing chips and a second area 114 is designated for the flop cards. Wagers are placed on the surface 116, preferably colored blue, of the table 100 on the dealer's side of the betting line 118. An exemplary button 120, or “button” is positioned on surface 116 to keep track of the first player to bet on a given hand. The button 120 is preferably emblazoned with the logo “To the River”. “River” is poker jargon for a third flop card, which will be discussed further below. The button 120 rotates one player station 108 (one of nine labeled) clockwise after each hand. Player stations 108 are preferably colored green and delineated by white lines between ¼″ and ⅜″ width. Player stations 108 have number plates 110 (one of nine labeled) which are preferably yellow. An exemplary dealing shoe 122 initially contains one poker deck of 52 cards well shuffled. The dealing shoe 122 is portable, and may be located for the dealer's convenience. Undelineated area 124 on the surface 116 of the table 100 is for accumulating the pot, which is the sum of chips wagered and not raked by the house. Preferably, a logo that includes the words “To the River” is emblazoned on the surface 116.

As used and defined herein, “wager” and “bet” have the same meaning. The “house rake”, as used and defined herein, is that portion of the sum of all antes and bets that the house keeps as a fee for operating the game. The house may be a casino, a private card club, or a private person, whether natural or corporate. Rules for taking the house rake vary from state to state and even between houses. In jackpot games, some portion of the house rake is retained for payment of a jackpot, and may be placed in a separate container by the dealer as and when it is collected. The jackpot may be paid according to house rules. For example, the jackpot may be paid when the pot is won with a first- or second-ranked hand versus a second- or third-ranked hand, respectively. The present novel game may be played as a jackpot game.

An ante is required from each player. The ante is placed before cards are dealt and may be collected by the dealer immediately.

An exemplary hand of the present game includes four rounds of betting, with each round having two cycles of player action. During the first cycle of each round, each player is permitted one initiating action or one responsive action. The permissible initiating actions are check (decline to bet and pass the initiative to the next player) and bet. The initiating action bet includes an initial bet or a raise. The permissible responsive actions are fold (quit) and call (match the raise of the previous player in the sequence). Thus, in the first cycle of the round, each player has an option to check, bet, call, raise, or fold, as such player thinks is in his best interest.

Up to two voluntary preliminary bets are allowed. Before the first cycle of the first round, and before any cards are slid from the dealing shoe 122, a single player may post a blind bet or may straddle an existing adjacent blind bet. Blind bets and straddle bets are preliminary bets. Only one blind and only one straddle is permitted per hand. The placing of a blind or a straddle does not affect who initiates the betting in this game, except that a player who places a blind or a straddle has used his initiating action for the first round and may not engage in further initiating action in that round. For example, a player posting a voluntary blind cannot check, bet, raise, fold, or call in the first cycle of the first round. In such a case, the initiative passes clockwise to the next player. A straddle player may not re-raise his straddle. Note that, depending on the inclinations of the players, there may be no preliminary bets (no blind and/or no straddle) in a particular hand.

The first round occurs after the sliding of the cards to the players. Each player is preferably slid two cards, one at a time, face down. In the first cycle of the first round, betting begins with the player clockwise from the button 120, and proceeds clockwise. If there is a blind and/or straddle, the blind and/or the straddle are skipped over in the betting sequence, that player having used his initiating action for the first round by posting the blind or straddle. The player with the initiative (clockwise from the button) has the option to check, fold, or place an initial bet. When the initiative transfers to a player positioned after a preliminary bet in the betting sequence, that player may fold or may call or raise the preliminary bet which is adjacent to such player.

For example, consider a nine-player game with table limits of three dollars (minimum) and six dollars (maximum) where the button is on player nine, player three has posted a blind bet of three dollars, and player four has posted a straddle of six dollars. The action of the first cycle begins with players one and two checking, thereby using their initiating actions for the first round. Players three and four have no further initiating action to make, as their blind and straddle, respectively, count as their initiating actions for the first round. Player five, being clockwise of the straddle, may call the straddle for six dollars, raise the straddle, or fold. Player five calls the straddle for six dollars. Player six may call player five for six dollars, raise player six, or fold. Player six raises player five by three dollars, for a total wager of nine dollars. Player seven raises player six by three dollars, for a total bet of twelve dollars. Player eight calls player seven for twelve dollars, and player nine raises player eight by three dollars, for a total bet of fifteen dollars. This ends the first cycle of the first round, and completes all initiating actions.

After the first cycle of initiating actions, the second cycle, consisting of responsive actions, occurs. The responsive action is either call or fold. Action in the second cycle begins with the player clockwise from the button.

In the previous example, players one through four fold in the second cycle. Player five adds nine dollars to his bet to call player nine (the last to raise). Player six adds six dollars to his bet to call player five. Players seven and eight each add three dollars to their bets to call player six and seven, respectively. Player nine does not need to take any action, as player nine made the last raise. The second cycle of the first round, and the first round itself, is now complete.

The hand proceeds with two-cycle betting rounds for each of three flop cards. The dealer “burns” a card before each flop card played from the dealing shoe 122. The burn card is slid from the dealing shoe 122 face down and is placed under the pot. A first flop card is slid from the dealing shoe 122 and turned face up. The first cycle of the first round begins with the player clockwise from the button. The initiative transfers clockwise to the next player to check, bet, raise, or call. The process of transferring initiative continues until each player has used his opportunity for an initiating action. A second cycle of the second round follows with only responsive actions permitted, completing the second round of the hand.

To start the third round, the second burn card is slid from the dealing shoe 122 and under the pot, the second flop card is slid from the dealing shoe 122 and turned face up, and a third two-cycle round of betting occurs. To start the fourth round, a third burn card is slid from the dealing shoe 122 and under the pot, a third flop card is slid from the dealing shoe 122 and turned face up, and a fourth and final round of betting occurs. When all betting is completed, the players (those who anteed and have not folded) show their cards (a “showdown” occurs) and the winner is determined by the dealer. The pot, minus the house rake, goes to the winner.

At the end of the hand, the button is moved clockwise to the next active player for the next hand.

In the case where the hand reduces to two active players, there is no limit on number of raises. Generally, the game may be played with any bet limits, such as limited bet, spread limit, no limit, or pot limit, as those terms are known in the art of poker.

It is a misdeal if the first card dealt to a player in a hand is exposed or if two cards dealt to players are exposed. This should be rare, as the cards are dealt from a dealing shoe 122. It is also a misdeal if a player does not receive the correct number of cards. Misdeals end the hand and a new hand is dealt. If one card is exposed that is not the first card, that card will be replaced by the first top card of the deck after all player hands for that deal have been dealt out.

The present game is faster than Texas Hold'em because two fewer flop cards are used resulting in two fewer rounds of betting per hand. Also, players are limited to one action in the first cycle and one action in the second cycle.

The present game may be implemented as an electronic poker game, as is known in the art of electronic poker game making The table design is essentially the same, with virtual cards dealt by computer, making the dealing shoe 122 and chip storage 112 unnecessary. The pot is expressed as a number and the button 120 is a virtual portable object. Cards dealt to players appear on confidential screens at player stations. The screens may be sunk into the electronic poker table or may use diffraction gratings or other optical devices to achieve confidentiality.

Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes such modifications as diverse approaches to taking the house rake, various betting limits, number of players, the use of various logos, and variations in table designs. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as read in connection with the above specification. Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims. 

1. A method of conducting a poker card game with a dealer and a plurality of players, wherein a player is a person who has paid an ante and has not folded wherein such plurality of players may be reduced during play, the method comprising the step of accepting voluntary preliminary bets, wherein: a. a button is used to indicate a particular player of such plurality of players who begins betting for a hand of said poker card game; b. any one player of said plurality of players, per said hand, has an option to post a blind bet as a voluntary preliminary bet before cards are distributed to such plurality of players; and c. a second player of such plurality of players, positioned immediately clockwise from said one player, has an option, when a blind bet has been posted, to post a straddle bet as a voluntary preliminary bet, wherein said straddle bet is larger than said blind bet, d. wherein betting action begins with a player of such plurality of players immediately clockwise from said button and proceeds sequentially clockwise among such plurality of players, except that: i. if said one player has posted a blind bet then said one player is skipped over in said betting sequence immediately following said posting of said blind bet; and ii. if said second player has posted a straddle bet then said second player is skipped over in said betting sequence immediately following said posting of said blind bet.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of conducting four rounds of betting in each hand, wherein each round comprises first and second cycles of sequential betting by such plurality of players.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a first round of said four rounds is conducted after each player of such plurality of players has been slid two cards face down by such dealer.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein a second round of said four rounds is conducted after a first flop card has been presented by such dealer.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein a third round of said four rounds is conducted after a second flop card has been presented by such dealer.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein a fourth round of said four rounds is conducted after a third flop card has been presented by such dealer.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein said first cycle of each round of said four rounds comprises one of an initiating action and a responsive action from each player, wherein: a. said initiating action comprises at least one of: i. checking; ii. placing an initial bet; iii. calling a previous bet, wherein said previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of said four rounds; iv. raising a previous bet, wherein said previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of said four rounds; and b. said responsive action comprises one of: i. calling a previous bet; and ii. folding.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said second cycle of each round of said four rounds comprises one said responsive action from each player of such plurality of players.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a. receiving antes; b. receiving at least one of: i. a voluntary blind bet; ii. a voluntary straddle bet; and iii. no preliminary bet; c. sliding cards face-down from a dealing shoe to provide each player of such plurality of players two cards; d. collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; e. sliding a burn card from said dealing shoe face down under said collected bets; f. sliding a first flop card from said dealing shoe and presenting said first flop card by turning said first flop card face up; g. collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; h. sliding a second flop card from said dealing shoe and presenting said second flop card by turning said second flop card face up; i. collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; j. sliding a third flop card from said dealing shoe and presenting said third flop card by turning said third flop card face up; k. collecting any bets placed by such plurality of players; l. requiring a showing of cards by players of such plurality of players that have not folded; m. determining a winner of said hand; n. removing a house rake from said collected bets, wherein said house rake may be removed in parts throughout said hand; o. transferring said collected bets, minus said house rake, to said winner; and p. moving said button to one player immediately clockwise.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said poker card game is implemented as an electronic poker card game.
 11. A method of conducting a poker card game with a dealer and a plurality of players, wherein a player is a person who has paid an ante and has not folded such that such plurality of players may be reduced during play, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a dealing shoe containing one shuffled poker deck; b. providing a D-shaped table sized for up to nine players and one dealer; c. providing a button for placing on said table to indicate a player having initiative at a start of betting; d. establishing betting limits for said poker game; e. receiving an ante from each player of said plurality of players; f. accepting at least one of: i. a blind bet; ii. a straddle bet; and iii. no preliminary bet; g. sliding to each player of such plurality of players two cards face down onto said table from said dealing shoe; h. observing one of one initiating action and one responsive action from each player, in sequence from such player indicated to have said initiative relative to said button, wherein said initiating action comprises one of checking and placing wagers on said table and said responsive action comprises one of calling and folding; i. observing one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players, in sequence from such player indicated to have said initiative; j. sliding one card from said dealing shoe face down as a burn card; k. presenting a flop card by sliding one card from said dealing shoe and turning it face up onto said table; l. observing one of one initiating action and one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players, in sequence from such player indicated to have said initiative relative to said button, wherein said initiating action comprises one of checking and placing wagers on said table and said responsive action comprises one of calling and folding; m. observing one responsive action from each player of such plurality of players, in sequence from such player indicated to have said initiative; n. repeating steps “j.” through “m.” for each of second and third flop cards; o. observing said cards of each player; p. determining a winner based on said step of observing said cards of each player; q. collecting said house rake from a sum of all bets, wherein said house rake may be removed in parts throughout said hand; and r. transferring said sum of all bets, minus said house rake, to such winner.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of moving said button clockwise one player after said step of transferring said sum of all bets, minus said house rake, to such winner.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of, after receiving said ante, receiving a blind wager as a preliminary bet from one player posting said blind wager, wherein said posting of said blind wager comprises said one initiating action for said one player posting said blind wager.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of receiving a straddle wager from one player posting said straddle wager, wherein said one player posting said straddle wager is not such one player posting such blind wager, and wherein said posting of said straddle wager comprises said one initiating action for said one player posting said straddle wager.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein said D-shaped table comprises delineated player stations on a curved side of said D-shaped table, a dealer box on a straight side of said table, and a delineated betting line between said player stations and said dealer box.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein said poker card game is implemented as an electronic poker card game.
 17. A method of conducting a poker card game with a dealer and a plurality of players, wherein a player is a person who has paid an ante and has not folded, the method comprising the step of accepting voluntary preliminary bets, wherein: a. a button is used to indicate a particular player of such plurality of players who begins betting for a hand of said poker card game; b. any one player of said plurality of players, per said hand, has an option to post a blind bet as a voluntary preliminary bet before cards are distributed to such plurality of players; and c. a second player of such plurality of players, positioned immediately clockwise from said one player, has an option, when a blind bet has been posted, to post a straddle bet as a voluntary preliminary bet, wherein said straddle bet is larger than said blind bet, d. wherein betting action begins with a player of such plurality of players immediately clockwise from said button and proceeds sequentially clockwise among such plurality of players, except that: i. if said one player has posted a blind bet then said one player is skipped over in said betting sequence immediately following said posting of said blind bet; and ii. if said second player has posted a straddle bet then said second player is skipped over in said betting sequence immediately following said posting of said blind bet; and e. conducting four rounds of betting in each hand, wherein each round comprises first and second cycles of sequential betting by such plurality of players.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first cycle of each round of said four rounds comprises one of an initiating action and a responsive action from each player, wherein: a. said initiating action comprises at least one of: i. checking; ii. placing an initial bet; iii. calling a previous bet, wherein said previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of said four rounds; iv. raising a previous bet, wherein said previous bet may include one of a blind bet or a straddle bet during a first round of said four rounds; and b. said responsive action comprises one of: i. calling a previous bet; and ii. folding.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said second cycle of each round of said four rounds comprises one said responsive action from each player of such plurality of players.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein said poker card game is implemented as an electronic poker card game. 